MLB Player News

Yacabonis is in a good position for a spot start Sunday against the Rangers, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Yacabonis was sent back to the minors following Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees, but he could return to the big leagues shortly, as the Orioles are in need of a spot start after Andrew Cashner (neck) was placed on the disabled list. Baltimore will likely confirm Sunday's starter later in the week, with Chris Tillman (back) also an option to take the hill for the series finale.

The Astros termed Giles' demotion to Triple-A Fresno as strictly a "baseball decision," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With an ERA of 4.99, there's certainly evidence that the demotion was performance based, but there may be other factors at play. Giles appeared to utter an obscenity toward manager A.J. Hinch as he was being pulled from Tuesday's game after giving up three singles in eight pitches. "This was a baseball decision," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "I don't know what he said (on Tuesday). Things are said between players and players and staff, and that's a clubhouse issue. That's dealt with separately. This was a baseball decision. Ken has had success in certain situations and he hasn't been successful in other situations the way he should be."

Kimbrel walked one and struck out four in 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday to pick up his 28th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Rangers.

The closer continues to put together another sterling campaign, and Kimbrel now has a 1.91 ERA and 58:15 K:BB through 37.2 innings to go along with his 28-for-30 performance in save chances.

Diaz locked down his 36th save with a perfect ninth Wednesday against the Angels.

Diaz struck out a batter for the fifth straight appearance and now has 79 in just 48 innings (14.8 K/9). The Mariners don't have the kind of offense that will blow teams out with regularity, so expect him to keep getting plenty of save chances as Seattle tries to make a push for the American League West crown in the second half.

Barria (5-6) allowed three runs on five hits and struck out five through five innings in a loss Wednesday to the Mariners.

Barria has not completed the sixth inning in six starts now, dating back to June 1 against Texas. He is 0-5 in that span with 4.85 ERA thanks in large part to seven homers allowed over just 29.2 innings (2.1 HR/9). He'll take a 3.55 ERA into the All-Star break, but Barria's season has been trending in the wrong direction for some time now, and it will be interesting to see just how long his leash will be in the second half.

Yarbrough improved to 8-4 on the season after throwing three scoreless innings Wednesday against the Tigers, striking out four and allowing just one hit.

Yarbrough entered the fifth inning with his team down 2-1. He cruised through the next three frames, allowing just one baserunner and was the pitcher of record when C.J. Cron hit the game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. The lefty has been a key part of the Rays' unconventional pitcher usage this season and has been as valuable as many starters despite starting just five games.

Perez was recalled from Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday.

Perez will get a chance to make his major-league debut after posting an impressive 1.98 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 83 strikeouts over 68.1 innings for the Hooks. He figures to be used in relief following the demotion of Ken Giles to Triple-A Fresno.

Giles was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday.

Giles was roughed up for three runs on three hits Tuesday against Oakland as he failed to retire a single batter out of the bullpen. He'll look for more success with the Grizzlies after pitching his way out of the closer role, posting a 4.99 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 31 strikeouts across 30.2 innings with the big club.

Beeks was optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Beeks will head down after tossing 2.1 innings of relief during Tuesday's game against the Rangers. During that appearance, he allowed three earned runs on four hits, one walk and one hit batsman while also recording one strikeout. Robby Scott will take his place in the Red Sox's bullpen.

Scott was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Scott has only appeared in one game for the Red Sox this season but will rejoin the bullpen prior to the series finale against Texas. Across 30 appearances with Pawtucket, he's logged a 1.15 ERA and 1.00 WHIP to go along with 48 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. In a corresponding move, Jalen Beeks was optioned to the minors.